International Course On the Conservation of Earthen Architecture

Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, UAE was chosen as the location for the course because of its central location in the region, rich earthen heritage and the variety of conservation approaches and examples implemented by the Department of Culture and Tourism–Abu Dhabi.

• Train mid-career professionals (architects, engineers, archaeologists, conservators) working with earthen heritage in North Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia
• Provide a biennial training opportunity that balances a theoretical foundation in earthen heritage conservation and management with emphasis on practical methods and hands-on experience
• Promote best practices in the conservation of earthen architecture
• Develop a regional professional network of course alumni dedicated to the conservation of earthen architecture
• Disseminate didactic materials for earthen architecture conservation that reflect advances in conservation practice and can be adapted to a diversity of languages and formats

Through lectures, discussions, laboratory sessions, demonstrations, site visits and field exercises, participants will learn fundamental theories of conservation as well as advances in technology and research that have influenced practical approaches to earthen architecture conservation. Group fieldwork at worksites will provide participants with the opportunity to address actual work scenarios where multidisciplinary solutions and collaboration are required.

Led by local and international experts, the course instructors will use Al Ain as an open-air laboratory for participants to learn practical, hands-on methods for preserving earthen buildings and archaeological sites. The course is taught by a team of eighteen professionals from various disciplines, all recognized in the field of earthen architecture conservation. Their lectures and exercises represent a diversity of perspectives, with a consistent focus on examples and case studies from the region.

• Conservation theory and principles
• Laboratory and field analysis of earthen materials
• Earth as a building material—use and construction techniques
• Mechanisms of decay—material and structural
• Methods of recording for documentation and analysis
• Conservation methodology—Planning of conservation and rehabilitation interventions
• Practical conservation methods—structural and non-structural
• Conservation of earthen archaeological sites and decorative surfaces
• Maintenance and preventive conservation
• Climate change and disaster risk management
• Developing rehabilitation and adaptive re-use projects for earthen buildings
• Study trip to Oman where participants will carry out an exercise on the conservation of urban settlements made of earth (Nizwa, Oman)

Cindy Calbimonte, Getty Graduate Intern (2018-2019); Nicole Declet, Getty Graduate Intern and Associate Project Specialist (2017-2018); Gayathri Hegde, Getty Graduate Intern (2019-2020); Alessandra Sprega, Getty Graduate Intern (2022–2023)